'According to the indictment, the total value of the gifts Dixon accepted or misappropriated is under $25,000. The amount includes clothing, electronics, travel and lodging.

"That's all they've got?" asked Ronald W. Walters, a government professor at the University of Maryland, College Park. He said the charges against Dixon didn't approach the level of misconduct alleged against Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich, who prosecutors say attempted to sell a U.S. Senate seat.

"We're witnessing a situation going down in Illinois, and this is nowhere near anything like that," Walters said. "The substance of it, on its face, would appear to be minor." '

I hope everyone feels better now that the "government professor" has provided us with the proper perspective. Obviously, if "that's all they got", not only should she not be indicted, she should be awarded an honorary Illinois Clean Government Medal.

Don't get too worked up...this is just a pre-requisite for her to qualify as a candidate for our NEXT crooked governor...the status quo is alive and well in the Land of Pleasant Living...Please pass me another Natty Boh!!...GO RAVENS!!!

MTA Tom - I live in the area. Yeah, she her thievry was petty anty....but still, she bought gift cards using money for a program for the poor and then went shopping with them. I'm sorry, but its still "hang them high" in my book.

A big problem we face today is trying to "measure" the crime,,,,just ignore the non-haneous ones,,,,after all it's just money....

What happened to a "crime is crime"???? Not saying we need the death penalty for embezzelment, but it is all a crime and elected officials convicted of a crime should be stripped of all gains,,,,just like a drug dealer.

Do the Math guys,,,, Why do Politicians spend Thousands maybe even Millions to get a Job that Pays maybe $200,000 to $500,000 a year.... I know that most all of them say it is because they want to either save or Help the rest of us, Like yea we the People must all be STUPID.....DUHHHHHHH !!!!!